GB2224357A

GB2224357A - Parturition indicator

Info

Publication number: GB2224357A
Application number: GB8921755A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Elliot Walker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-26
Filing date: 1989-09-27
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-27
Also published as: GB8825059D0; GB8921755D0; GB2224357B

Abstract

A parturition indicator suitable for alerting personnel in charge of pregnant animals of the onset of parturition comprises a girth strap 4 securely attaching a signal transmitter 3 to a pregnant cow 1. A circuit loop 6 having a conductor 7 is secured both sides of the vagina 11, and connected by a push fit connector 15 such that when the water bag 16 begins to emerge from the vagina 11 the connector 15 is pulled apart causing a break in the circuit loop 6. The transmitter 3 transmits an alarm signal 19 to a remote receiver 20 which drives a warning signal 21 to attract the attention of the personnel in charge of the animal. <IMAGE>

Description

PARTURITION INDICATOR The present invention relates to a parturition indicator suitable for use in alerting personnel in charge of pregnant animals of the onset of parturition.

Whilst many births take place naturally without difficulty, a significant number involve complications which place the mother and/or offspring at risk of injury or even death, which can result in serious economic losses. The risk of difficult births has moreover increased in recent years as a result of selective breeding in, for example, cattle which has led to an increase in the size of calves relative to the cows bearing them. Since births can and do take place at any time of day or night there is a need for the personnel in charge quickly. to be made aware of the onset of parturition.

Round the clock surveillance however is generally impractical and uneconomic.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.

The present invention provides a parturition indicator for an animal which indicator comprises a harness means formed and arranged for securely attaching a signal transmitter to said animal and a circuit means including elongate conductor means provided with spaced apart attachment means either side of a disconnection #ortion and formed and arranged for substantially secure #ttachment at opposite sides of said animals birth passage opening, in use of the indicator with said disconnection portion of said elongate conductor means extending across said opening, so that as said opening is dilated at the onset of parturition, said elongate conductor means is broken at said disconnection portion, said circuit means and elongate conductor means being formed and arranged for activating said transmitter upon breaking of said elongate conductor means at said disconnection portion so as to transmit an alarm signal giving notice of the onset of parturition.

With an indicator of the present invention it is possible rapidly to alert the personnel in charge of the animal of the onset of parturition without the need for constant surveillance and with the minimum of disturbance to the animal, in a relatively simply and economic manner.

Any suitable form of harness means may be employed having due regard to the size and activity of the animal concerned. Thus in the case of bovine or equine species there may be used a relatively simple harness in the form of a girth strap which may be secured around the animals trunk behind its forelegs.

Various forms of transmitter may be used including those producing electromagnetic radiation signals e.g.

infra-red or radio-wave especially very high or ultrahigh frequency radio waves, as well as those producing sound waves, especially ultra-sonic, signals. In general the indicator of the invention will include a remote receiver formed and arranged for receiving the alarm signal and driving a physiologically sensible warning signal output means upon receipt of the alarm signal, for alerting personnel. By this means it is possible for personnel to be immediately alerted even when they are asleep in a bedroom remote from the animal quarters, by using a physiologically sensible warning signal output means such as an alarm bell.

If desired, e.g. where the responsible personnel are in relatively close proximity, there may be used a transmitter formed and arranged to drive a physiologically sensible warning signal output means without the need for a receiver.

Conveniently there is used a receiver adapted for use with a plurality of transmitters with different alarm signals, and including signal processing and display means adapted for identifying the individual transmitter which has been activated.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a general, partly schematic, perspective view of a parturition indicator of the invention in use on a cow; and Fig. 2 is a detail rear view showing activation of the indicator at the onset of calving.

Fig. 1 shows a pregnant cow 1 provided with a parturition indicator 2. In more detail the indicator 2 comprises a radio signal transmitter 3 mounted on a girth strap 4 which is secured around the chest 5 of the cow 1. The indicator includes a circuit loop 6 in the form of an elongate conductor 7 which extends along the backbone of the cow and down to its rear end 9 where it extends under the cow's tail 10 across the vagina 11. The conductor 7 is secured to the cow's rear at either side of the vagina 11 by attachment means in the form of small strips of tape 12 which are adhesively secured to the cow's rear 9.

In between the strips 12 the conductor 7 includes a disconnection portion at which respective portions 13, 14 of the conductor 7 are connected together by a push fit electric connector 15 so that when the water bag 16 begins to emerge from the vagina 11 at the onset of parturition (see Fig.2) the respective portions 17, 18 of the connector 15 are pulled apart thereby breaking the circuit in said loop 6.

The transmitter 3 is formed and arranged so as to transmit an alarm signal 19 to a remotely placed receiver 20, which is formed and arranged for receiving the alarm signal and driving an audible horn warning signal output device 21 for attracting the attention of personnel in charge of the animal. Once alerted, the attendant will visit the cow and inspect it for any mal presentation of the calf e.g. in case it is in a so called "breech" position. If all is well the connector portions 17, 18 are reconnected and the apparatus reset. At the next stage of parturition, which may be as much as two hours later, when the feet of the calf start to appear, the connector portions 17, 18 will again be pulled apart thereby breaking the circuit again and causing a fresh alarm signal to be sent.The attendant can then return to provide any assistance that may be required with the actual delivery of the calf.

It will be appreciated that in many cases, the attendant will be in charge of a number of animals each of which will be provided with an indicator of its own.

Advantageously each animal's transmitter will be programmed to send a distinctive alarm signal and the single, commonreceiver is provided with a processing means for providing a visual display output identifying which animal has sent an alarm signal. Any suitable form of transmitter and receiver apparatus may be used in accordance with the present invention. Conveniently though there is used apparatus such as that employed in cordless burglar alarm systems such as the Scantronic series 4,700 burglar alarm available from Scantronic Ltd., Perivale Ind.

Estate, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7JR, which includes a single receiver and control panel and up to 17 radio transmitters. It will of course be appreciated that whilst the attendant will normally be in reasonably close proximity to the animal quarters, there could if necessary be used a repeater station between the transmitters and receiver in order to extend the range of the system.

Various other modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus for example where a relatively small transmitter is used, a smaller harness adapted for attachment to the cow's tail (at or on its root) could be used. In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of indicating the onset of parturition in an animal comprising the steps of attaching a parturition indicator of the invention to the animal, with the disconnection portion of the elongate conductor means extending across the birth passage opening of the animal, and monitoring the indicator for an alarm signal.

Claims

1. A parturition indicator for an animal which indicator comprises a harness means formed and arranged for securely attaching a signal transmitter to said animal and a circuit means including elongate conductor means provided with spaced apart attachment means either side of a disconnection portion and formed and arranged for substantially secure attachment at opposite sides of said animals birth passage opening, in use of the indicator with said disconnection portion of said elongate conductor means extending across said opening so that as said opening is dilated at the onset of parturition, said elongate conductor means is broken at said disconnection portion said circuit means and elongate conductor means being formed and arranged for activating said transmitter upon breaking of said elongate conductor means at said disconnection portion so as to transmit an alarm signal giving notice of the onset of parturition.

2. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein is provided harness means, in the form of a girth strap.

3. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein is provided a transmitter formed and arranged for transmitting electromagnetic radiation alarm signals.

4. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein is provided a transmitter formed and arranged for transmitting sound wave signals.

5. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein is provided a receiver for receiving the alarm signal and driving a physiologically sensible warning signal output means.

6. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein is provided a receiver for receiving the alarm signal and driving at least one audio, visual or tactual warning signal output means.

7. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein is provided a receiver formed and arranged for use with a plurality of transmitters with different alarm signals.

8. An indicator as claimed in claim 6 wherein is provided a receiver having signal processing and display means for identifying the individual transmitter which has sent an alarm signal.

9. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein is provided a transmitter formed and arranged for transmitting physiologically sensible alarm signals.

10. A method of indicating the onset of parturition comprising attaching a parturition indicator as claimed in claim 1 to the animal, with the disconnection portion of the elongate conductor means extending across the birth passage opening of the animal, and monitoring the indicator for an alarm signal.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the monitoring of the indicator for an alarm signal is effected by providing a remote receiver formed and arranged for receiving the alarm signal and driving a physiologically sensible warning signal output means upon receipt of the alarm signal, for alerting personnel.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein is provided a transmitter formed and arranged to transmit a physiologically sensible alarm signal whereby persons in close proximity to the indicator in use thereof may be alerted by the alarm signal directly.